News

02
Sep
2020
What’s in the Name?

What’s in the Name?

Sandgate Parish Council is considering renaming Enbook Valley Park to highlight its value as a community asset.

We can easily leave it as it is but perhaps you have a much better name! The council are asking for any nominations for a new name to be put to a community vote in the Autumn.

To suggest a new name, email clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk or call 248563 by 30th September.

All suggestions will be considered by Sandgate Council and a shortlist, which will include as an option the current Enbrook Valley Park, will then be put forward to the community vote.

Suggestions that are offensive or unacceptable (F&H District Council have to accept the final name) won’t make it to the shortlist: sorry Parky McParkface!

Posted by Tim Prater in News
30
Aug
2020
Sandgate Library to reopen in September

Sandgate Library to reopen in September

Sandgate Parish Council is delighted to announce that Sandgate Library will be re-opening on 7th September.

This is the result of discussions with Kent County Council and reflects the unique status of the library, which will be re-opening well in advance of similarly-sized libraries in the district.

At reopening, Sandgate Library’s opening hours will be from 9.30-12.00 Monday-Friday (closed on Wednesdays) and from 9.30-1.00pm on Saturdays.

In keeping with other Kent libraries which are re-opening, a Click-and-Collect loan service will be available, and – for Sandgate residents only – a Home Library Service for those who, because of age or disability, are unable to get to the library.

To book these services, borrowers will be able to contact the library from 1st September on the dedicated phone number 07552 810271 or by email to Sandgate.Library@kent.gov.uk.

Reading or listening choices can then be discussed with a member of staff, and arrangements made for a suitable time-slot when books will be available for collection or a Home Library Service delivery will take place.

Please note that Click-and-Collect & Home Library Service loans are for a maximum of 6 items per occasion and, for the time being, will be limited to the stock held within Sandgate Library.

In addition, there will be one WiFi area available at the front of the library, bookable via Netloan, but there will be no print facility for the present. Obviously, every effort will be made to ensure the safety of both staff and customers.

Only one Click-and-Collect user will be able to enter the library at a time and they will be expected to use the available hand sanitiser and to wear a mask. Staff will also be wearing appropriate PPE.

It is hoped that in the near future more access to stock and browsing may become available, but we would ask that you bear with us as we learn a new way of working and understand that we are trying to provide the best possible service.

Posted by Tim Prater in Library, News
30
Aug
2020
Watching and Speaking at Online Sandgate Parish Council Meetings

Watching and Speaking at Online Sandgate Parish Council Meetings

Until April 2020, no Councils met online for full Council or Committee meetings – they simply weren’t legally allowed to do so. When new legislation to allow Councils to meet online in response to Covid-19 was put in place in April 2020 (currently to expire in May 2021) then Councils had to learn how to adapt and meet online fast.

Sandgate Parish Council was one of the first to do so, and came up with a structure that worked quite quickly. All online council and committee meetings of Sandgate Parish Council are held on Zoom, and all broadcast from there on Facebook Live to our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sandgatepc/

Any member of the public is welcome to watch the meetings live on our Facebook page, and recordings of meetings will be available to view after the meeting on Facebook for at least one month.

Since April, emails from the public to the Council have been raised and noted at full Council and Planning meetings (as appropriate). However, we wanted to go further and reinstate the ability for people to ask questions at full Council and make representations to Planning meetings themselves if they so wish.

We think we now have a reasonable way to do so, so in addition, the public are welcomed to ask questions directly at full council meetings, and make representations on applications at Planning meetings, as well as emailing in to either as before. The guidance / protocol to doing so is at https://sandgatepc.org.uk/public-speaking-at-online-meetings-of-sandgate-parish-council-protocol/

Posted by Tim Prater in Council, News, Planning
25
Aug
2020
Paying Respects to Robert Bliss

Paying Respects to Robert Bliss

The funeral of Robert Bliss will take place on Tuesday 1st September.

Sadly, due to the ongoing Covid restrictions, the ceremony is limited to 30 invited guests only.

However, Robert’s cortege will be pass along Sandgate High Street and Esplanade from Folkestone towards Hythe just after 11.15am on Tuesday 1st September for those that would like to pay their respects. We know that many people have said they would like to do so, and would be pleased to be joined by friends and neighbours lining the route.

Nina Bliss, and Robert’s family, have been very touched by the support shown by so many friends from across Sandgate and beyond.

Posted by Tim Prater in News
13
Aug
2020

Notice of Vacancy

Notice-of-Vacancy-Sandgate-Village-ward-1

Notice is hereby given that a vacancy has arisen in the Office of Councillor for the Parish Council.

If by 3 September 2020 a request for an election to fill the vacancy is made in writing to:

The Returning Officer
Folkestone & Hythe District Council
Civic Centre
Castle Hill Avenue
Folkestone
Kent CT20 2QY

by TEN electors for the Electoral Area, an election will be held to fill the vacancy, otherwise the vacancy will be filled by co-option.

If an election is called, it will take place in line with the Local Government and Police Crime Commissioner (Coronavirus) (Postponement of Elections and Referendums) (England and Wales) Regulations 2020, so will be held on Thursday 6th May 2021.

Posted by Tim Prater in News
11
Aug
2020
Robert Bliss 1936 – 2020

Robert Bliss 1936 – 2020

It is with huge sadness that Sandgate Parish Council learned of the sudden death of our friend and Vice-Chairman Robert Bliss on Monday.

Robert was Chairman of Sandgate Parish Council from 2011 until May this year, serving longer than all other Chairmen of the Parish combined.

Robert also served as District Councillor for Sandgate from 1995 to 2015, and County Councillor for Folkestone West from 2005 to 2009. He was made an Alderman of Shepway District in 2015 on his retirement as a District Councillor in recognition of his service.

Tim Prater, Chairman of Sandgate Parish Council, said:

“We heard of Robert’s death on Monday morning with great shock and sadness. Robert was deeply committed to Sandgate, a long standing and valued member of the Parish Council, and a great support.

“Most of all we’re thinking of Nina and Robert’s family as they come to terms with their loss: Robert and Nina have been inseparable for years.

“I know how rightly proud he was of his many years as Councillor, Parish Chairman, and indeed the almost 10 years he led the then Shepway District Council.

“We shared a passion for Sandgate taking control of our services and local facilities. Robert fought to see Sandgate Library reopened after a period of closure over a decade ago. He also helped make happen the unique agreement that sees Sandgate Parish Council managing our own Library, and was delighted by all it has since achieved.

“Throughout, he showed complete commitment to this village, the district as a whole and to his beloved Nina. He was an honest and honourable man.

“Sandgate will be be poorer without Robert, and we will miss him.”​

Posted by Tim Prater in News
30
Jul
2020

Sandgate Parish Council Annual Return 2019-20

Sandgate Parish Council is defined as a “smaller authority” for the purposes of publication of its annual accounts and statements.

The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 require that:

1. The accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested, during a period of 30 working days set by the smaller authority and including the first 10 working days of July.

2. The period referred to in paragraph (1) starts with the day on which the period for the exercise of public rights is treated as having been commenced i.e. the day following the day on which all of the obligations in paragraph (3) below have been fulfilled.

3. The responsible financial officer for a relevant authority must, on behalf of that authority, publish (which must include publication on the authority’s website):

(a) the Accounting Statements (i.e. Section 2 of the Annual Return), accompanied by:

(i) a declaration, signed by that officer to the effect that the status of the Accounting Statements are unaudited and that the Accounting Statements as published may be subject to change;

(ii) the Annual Governance Statement (i.e. Section 1 of the Annual Return); and

(b) a statement that sets out—

(i) the period for the exercise of public rights;

(ii) details of the manner in which notice should be given of an intention to inspect the accounting records and other documents;

(iii) the name and address of the local auditor;

(iv) the provisions contained in section 26 (inspection of documents etc.) and section 27 (right to make objections at audit) of the Act, as they have effect in relation to the authority in question.

All the required accounting statements, declarations, annual governance statement and additional statements are available in this 2020 Full Annual Return of Sandgate Parish Council. The declared period for the exercise of Public Rights is 1 September – 12 October 2020, but in practice it was published on the Sandgate Parish Council website on 30 July 2020.

Sandgate-Parish-Council-Annual-Return-2019-20-1

Scanned pdf documents do not comply with the Accessibility Regulations but the above documents can be provided in an alternative format or on alternative media, on request.

There is a National Audit Office guide Local Authority Accounts: A guide to your rights.

Posted by Tim Prater in Council, News, Resources
17
Jul
2020

Seagull Proof Sacks for Refuse Collections: Now Available in Sandgate

Seagulls and bin bags don’t mix. Well, perhaps they do. Too well. For the seagull.

Following an approach by Sandgate Parish Council, Folkestone and Hythe District Council have agreed to make available ‘seagull proof’ bags for households in Sandgate that have a purple sack rubbish collection (ie no wheely bin).

This will help prevent your rubbish sacks being attacked by seagulls on collection day (which should make Sandgate High Street on a Wednesday a slightly less rubbish-strewn area – we hope!). It’s not compulsory, but we hope any household that has seen their sacks attacked will take part to help keep our village tidier!

You simply put your current purple sacks, sealed, into the outer Seagull proof sack. The sack is then emptied and left for you to use again (and again, and again – they are not disposable).

We were, pre-Covid, planning to distribute sacks to qualifying households from stalls at the Sandgate Farmers Market and via Sandgate Library, but that’s clearly not possible right now.

So to order your sack email clerk@sandgatepc.org.uk or call 01303 248563 with your name and address. We are only permitted to give sacks to those with a current “purple sack” collection, so please don’t ask if your usual rubbish collection is a bin collection. We will drop the sack to your property in the next 5 working days.

Please note that bags DO NOT replace purple sacks – you place your purple sacks IN the seagull proof bag.

How to use your seagull proof bag:

  • Please secure your sack outside your property before 7am on collection day;
  • Please place your purple bags inside your gull proof sack and make sure that the sack is securely closed to avoid the gulls attacking your waste;
  • Our waste crews will remove the purple bags from your gull proof sack on collection day;
  • Please take your bag in as soon as possible after collection, any gull proof sacks left out permanently will be removed and not replaced;
  • You may wish to number your sack so that it can be recognised as yours.
Posted by Tim Prater in News
13
Jul
2020
KCC Director of Public Health response to national media reports re: Covid cases in Ashford and Folkestone

KCC Director of Public Health response to national media reports re: Covid cases in Ashford and Folkestone

Kent County Council Director of Public Health, Andrew Scott-Clark statement on recent Covid case numbers in Ashford and Folkestone:

As part of our outbreak plans, we work closely with Public Health England to monitor the figures across Kent – the seven day rolling average for Ashford and Folkestone continues to decline from the peak seen in April/May, so this PHE report does not mean there is a current need for any local lockdowns.

While the figure for cumulative confirmed cases will always appear high for these areas, there is no comparison to be made between the rates of new cases currently occurring in Ashford and Folkestone, and areas such as Leicester.

We have seen a number of infections in care settings and these are being effectively managed but we have not seen any evidence of any widespread community transmission of COVID-19 and there are currently no plans to introduce any lockdowns specifically these areas. Should, however, the need arise, we will not hesitate to take further steps should it be necessary. 

Ashford and Folkestone have seen higher rates than other areas and is a combination of higher testing rates earlier in the pandemic, a large NHS Trust and many care homes in the area plus the London commuter effect.

We have known Ashford has experienced high numbers for a while and as a result we have deployed mobile testing sites to this area to increase the amount of people who are tested to allow us to better understand how and why this is happening.

As a result we are finding more positive results because we know that some people can be infected with Covid-19, but not exhibit symptoms (asymptomatic cases).

The public should be reassured that the levels of testing across the whole of Kent have also been ramped up and we would expect to see a rise in the number of cumulative confirmed cases.

We have increased our testing capacity so that we are able to identify and confirm cases in our community and support the NHS Test and Trace programme. We appeal to residents to follow the guidance should they be contacted by NHS test and trace. This will all help us control the spread of the virus.

The NHS in the region have also been working hard making sure that there is sufficient testing resources for their patients and staff to get the testing that they need to support their safety and treatment.

The Government has also set up a home-testing service where kits can be delivered to someone’s door so they can test themselves and their family without leaving the house.

The message to residents remains clear – to follow national guidance on social distancing, use thorough and regular handwashing, and follow advice if contacted by the NHS Test and Trace system. For more information, go to www.kent.gov.uk/kentprotect

Posted by Tim Prater in News